Hi there. I wondered if anyone has any advice.
The situation is my lovely friend is a single parent, has been for 15 years.
Her son is now 22 and is a very dominant type and quite controlling of his mum eg
if we are together, he will come and stand between my friend and I and talk at us, putting his hand in our faces so we stop and listen to him. He has put his hands over his mums mouth to stop her saying a word until he is done. I have told him to knock it off but he can get aggressive so his mum has asked us to just go along with it.
he sets the rules for the house.
He decided he was boycotting Christmas last year (which she loves) so she was not allowed any decorations or have visitors or celebrate the day with family. She wasn't allowed to cook Xmas Dinner and had to spend the day at home with him.
He will want to speak at her hours, following her around and wont let her go to sleep until he is finished even if his lecture lasts until 4am
He is converting to Islam and has told her that the house will now follow and obey the teachings.
She wants to respect his new religion but he has now said she will need to wear a hijab around home and he will ensure she converts too.
She knows his behaviour can be out of order but I think after years, she doesn't see that he is controlling her life.
She is v protective and loyal to him of course but has also said she can't take anymore.
We are worried about her but don't know how to sensitively talk to her about it.